Parramatta may have just revealed the solution to a crippling backline injury crisis.
The Eels already had Fijian flanker Maika Sivo out until mid-year with a serious knee injury, then lost promising youngster Haze Dunster for the entire 2022 season when he ruptured all three ligaments in his knee during Saturday’s trial against the Dragons.
It leaves the Eels seriously short on wingers, but teenage talent Sean Russell may hold the key.
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The 19-year-old has been named on the wing for Saturday’s trial against the Panthers.
He made his NRL debut last year and scored two tries against the Bulldogs. If he impresses this week, Russell is sure to be a frontrunner for the wing spot in Round 1.
North Queensland captain Jason Taumalolo will miss Saturday’s NRL trial match against the Brisbane Broncos due to a hamstring injury.
The club confirmed Taumalolo is nursing a minor hamstring complaint, but he is expected to be fit in time for the Cowboys’ Round 1 clash with the Bulldogs on March 13.
Meanwhile, speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will take on the all-important fullback duties.
The No.1 jersey has been at the centre of much debate around the club, with Valentine Holmes having spent much time at fullback since he arrived following his stint in the NFL.
Even playmaker Scott Drinkwater has played at fullback over the last couple of seasons.
The Cowboys confirmed Holmes will look to transition into the centre position, where he will start for this weekend’s trial.
Meanwhile, Cowboys fans will get their first look at recruit Chad Townsend who has been named at halfback.
Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders – Central Coast Stadium, Friday 6pm AEDT
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolu Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Sean Keppie 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ethan Bullemor 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Dylan Walker 15. Karl Lawton 16. Taniela Paseka 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. James Roumanos 19. Kurt De Luis 20. Eiden Ackland 21. Christian Tuipulotu 23. Kaeo Weekes 24. Ben Trbojevic 25. Jorge Taufua
Raiders: TBC
Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers – Central Coast Stadium, Friday 8.10pm AEDT
Roosters: 1. Lachlan Lam 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Adam Keighran 4. Paul Momirovski 5. Kevin Naiqama 6. Joseph Manu 7. Sam Walker 8. Fletcher Baker 9. Sam Verrills 10. Daniel Sulka-fifita 11. Naufahu Whyte 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Ben Thomas 25. Tukupa Hau Tapuha 17. Lindsay Collins 18. Ethan King 19. Terrell May 20. Tom Carr 21. Ben Marschke 22. Sandon Smith 27. Eli Roberts
Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Oliver Gildart 4. James Roberts 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Luke Brooks 8. James Tamou 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Stefano Utoikamanu 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Starford Toa 15. Junior Pauga 16. Jock Madden 17. Zane Musgrove 18. Jake Simpkin 19. Austin Dias 20. Alex Seyfarth 21. Ruatapu Ngatikaura 22. Tyrone Peachey 23. Tukimihia Simpkins
Warriors vs Gold Coast Titans – Moreton Daily Stadium, Saturday 3.00pm AEDT
Warriors: 1. Chanel Harris-Tavita 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Euan Aitken 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh Curran 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. ‘Otukinekina-He-Tofonga Kepu 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Aaron Pene 18. Bayley Sironen 20. Taniela Otukolo 21. Ashley Taylor 22. Edward Kosi 23. Jack Murchie 24. Adam Pompey 25. Junior Ratuva 26. Jayden Corrigan
Titans: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Corey Thompson 6. AJ Brimson 7. Toby Sexton 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Erin Clark 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Sam Lisone 16. Jarrod Wallace 17. Will Smith 18. Herman Ese’ese 19. Kevin Proctor 20. Sam McIntyre 21. Paul Turner 22. Treymain Spry 23. Greg Marzhew 24. Esan Marsters
Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels – BlueBet Stadium, Saturday 5.00pm AEDT
Panthers: TBC
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Ryan Matterson 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Oregon Kaufusi 16. Ray Stone 17. Jakob Arthur 18. Mitch Rein 19. Marata Niukore 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Jordan Rankin 22. Brendan Hands 23. Ky Rodwell 24. Bryce Cartwright 25. Hayze Perham 26. Solomone Naiduki 27. Tom Opacic 28. Sam Loizou
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Glen Willow Oval, Saturday 7.00pm AEDT
Rabbitohs: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jaxson Paulo 4. Campbell Graham 5. Josh Mansour 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Junior Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Hame Sele 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Mark Nicholls 14. Dean Hawkins 15. Siliva Havili 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Jacob Host 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Josiah Karapani 20. Richard Kennar 21. Davvy Moale 22. Romano Cook 23. Terrell Kalo Kalo
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Cody Ramsey 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Junior Amone 7. Ben Hunt (c) 8. Aaron Woods 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Jack Bird 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Francis Molo 15. Josh Kerr 16. George Burgess 17. Michael Molo 18. Tautau Moga 19. Jaiyden Hunt 20. Jackson Ford 21. Jack Gosiewski 22. Mat Feagai 23. Josh McGuire 24. Connor Muhleisen 25. Jonathon Reuben 26. Dean Blore
North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos – BB Print Stadium, Saturday 9.00pm AEDT
Cowboys: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Jordan McLean 16. Mitchell Dunn 17. Tom Gilbert 18. Brendan Elliot 19. Scott Drinkwater 20. Griffin Neame
Broncos: TBC
Melbourne Storm vs Newcastle Knights – Mars Stadium, Saturday 5.45pm AEDT
Storm: TBC
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Jake Clifford 7. Adam Clune 8. David Klemmer 9. Chris Randall 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Kurt Mann 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Mitchell Barnett 17. Jirah Momoisea 18. Tex Hoy 19. Dylan Lucas 20. Mathew Croker 21. Leo Thompson 22. McKenzie Baker 23. Chris Vea’ila 24. Brayden Musgrove 25. Liam Wilkinson 26. Jaron Purcell 27. Ben Talty
Cronulla Sharks vs Canterbury Bulldogs – PointsBet Stadium, Monday 7.00pm AEDT
Sharks: TBC
Bulldogs: TBC
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